Friends always tell me that I have a “gift” when it comes to picking out presents. At white elephant parties, the item I bring along is always the one guests fight over. It’s true, I love nothing more than hunting down and selecting the absolutely perfect little something for a friend’s 40th, my children’s school friends or a housewarming party. But my special talent seems to completely fail me when it comes to gifts for my “they already have it all” in-laws!
Don’t get me wrong, I adore them, but as my mother-in-law says, she already has “everything she could possibly ever wish for” and she buys herself (and my father-in-law!) everything they need. When it comes to picking out something for them, be it their birthday, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Grandparents Day or Christmas, choosing a thoughtful and unique gift can be quite the challenge.
So, I partnered up with some friends in high places, a buyer for a luxury store (with over 35 retail locations across the United States) and an actress/influencer/lifestyle brand founder and surveyed over 500 hip grandparents to come up with this list of of creative, perfect gifts ideas for those who are usually impossible to buy for…
Personalized Star Map
A star map from The Night Sky captures the exact alignment of the stars on a specific date and location. Celebrate a wedding date or the day a grandchild was born.
- Price Range: Starting at $50
- Where to Buy: The Night Sky
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Why They’ll Love It: It’s a unique and meaningful, personalized gift that commemorates a special moment in time.
Monogrammed Luxury Robes
Known for their ultra-luxurious linens, Matouk makes personalized robes from the finest Egyptian cotton or waffle pique. Add initials for a personal touch.
- Price Range: Starting at $150
- Where to Buy: Matouk
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Why They’ll Love It: Every-day lounging should always feel like a trip to a 5 star hotel.
Custom Art Books
Plum Print preserves the piles of grandkids’ artwork in beautifully bound custom books. There’s no better way to turn sentimental pieces into lasting, elegant keepsakes. Bonus: In addition to books of children’s artwork, Plum Print also takes grandma’s recipes, written in her own handwriting, and creates one-of-a-kind cookbooks. This is a gift for EVERY member of the family!
- Price Range: Starting at $99
- Where to Buy: Plum Print
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Why They’ll Love It: Grandparents can relish in their grandchildren’s creativity without the clutter. It's a high-end yet sentimental way to preserve family memories.
Art and Travel Books
Speaking of coffee table books, Assouline creates luxurious, collectible coffee table books that showcase everything from fashion and art to travel. Their books are renowned for their aesthetic appeal.
- Price Range: Starting at $85
- Where to Buy: Assouline
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Why They’ll Love It: These gorgeous books not only entertain but also elevate the living room game, sparking conversations when hosting friends or family.
Gardening Kits
Williams-Sonoma offers premium gardening kits, complete with all the essentials needed to start or expand a beautiful garden. We’re especially drawn to the indoor herb gardens, heirloom vegetable kit and the shiitake mushroom kit.
- Price Range: Starting at $29
- Where to Buy: Williams-Sonoma
- Why They’ll Love It: Green-thumbed grandparents will adore nurturing their plants with these high-quality kits, and that can encourage a new hobby or expand options for those who already have a green thumb.
Custom Notebook or Planner
Personalized beauty is celebrated in Minted sophisticated, custom-designed notebooks and planners. Their designs feature modern, minimalist styles.
- Price: Starting at $18
- Where to Buy: Minted
- Why They’ll Love It: They’ll love making notes in a classy, personalized contemporary designed piece.
Gourmet Subscription Box
A subscription from Harry & David offers a luxurious way for grandparents to enjoy curated selections of gourmet treats, including premium fruits, cheeses, desserts, or fine wines, delivered right to their door.
- Price: Starting at $80
- Where to Buy: Harry & David
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Why They’ll Love It: Who wouldn’t love a steady supply of gourmet goodies? It’s a monthly treat they’ll look forward to—and brag about!
Smart Home Devices
Smart home devices from Nest let grandparents control lights, locks, and thermostats with just their voice.
- Price: Starting at $130
- Where to Buy: Google Store
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Why They’ll Love It: Convenience and security in one—whether adjusting the temperature from bed or checking the doorbell, it makes life easier and smarter.
Personalized Bangles
Custom bracelets from Stephanie Gottlieb are timeless. Featuring grandchildren’s birthstones, names or initials, makes these pieces perfect for sophisticated grandparents.
- Price: Starting at $500
- Where to Buy: StephanieGottlieb
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Why They’ll Love It: It’s a statement piece they’ll treasure, and with family birthstones or letters, it’s both stylish and meaningful.
Custom Wooden Puzzles
For a fun and personalized “active” gift, Stave Puzzles transforms family photos into heirloom-quality wooden puzzles. These handcrafted games are challenging yet artistic, ideal for leisurely afternoons.
- Price: Starting at $300
- Where to Buy: Stave Puzzles
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Why They’ll Love It: It’s not just a puzzle—it’s a custom, interactive piece of family history that’s fun and beautifully crafted.
Brass Easel Calendar
Turn beloved family photos into something beautiful and useful with Artifact Uprising’s custom calendars.
- Price: Starting at $59
- Where to Buy: Artifact Uprising
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Why They’ll Love It: It transforms their cherished family photos into a personalized item that will make them smile every day of the month.
Luxury Bedding Sets
Indulge them with Frette bedding, renowned for its use in luxury hotels worldwide. Their high-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets and plush down comforters promise the ultimate in nighttime luxury.
- Price: Starting at $600
- Where to Buy: Frette
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Why They’ll Love It: Grandparents will feel like they’re sleeping in a 5-star hotel every night, with sheets of unmatched comfort and elegance.
Custom Framed Family Photos
Framebridge provides custom framing services that turn family photos into gallery-worthy art. Choose from modern or classic frame styles, perfect for displaying cherished family moments.
- Price: Starting at $75
- Where to Buy: Framebridge
- Why They’ll Love It: It’s a personal, stylish way to display their favorite family moments in museum-quality frames.
Each of these gifts pairs luxury with thoughtfulness, ensuring that your grandparents receive something they'll always treasure—whether it's a practical, indulgent, or deeply sentimental gift.
I finally feel confident that my mother and father-in-law will receive something unforgettable this year!